Brown Tree Frog

1 Overview

The Brown Tree Frog is a small hylid frog common in southeastern Australia, and is therefore classified as a species of Least Concern. Typically it measures around 35 mm in body length, with some individuals exceeding 40 mm, though few grow beyond that size. Because the species was introduced to New Zealand, it can also be found there besides Australia.

The Brown Tree Frog is highly adaptable and thrives across plains, mountains, and forests alike; it has even been recorded in semi-arid regions. Unlike some other frogs, it can breed year-round, with a peak in summer—especially after rain, when large numbers of females lay eggs, making the eggs very easy to find.

Chinese name: Brown Tree Frog

Binomial name: Litoria ewingii

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Amphibia

Subclass: Lissamphibia

Order: Anura

Suborder: Neobatrachia

Family: Hylidae

Subfamily: Pelodryadinae

Genus: Litoria

Species: Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingii)

2 Physical Characteristics

The Brown Tree Frog has distinctive features that make it easy to tell apart from other frogs. Many assume it should be green, but that is not the case. Most individuals are brown, with individuals varying in shade, yet all share two black markings: one is a band or stripe of black spots running from behind the eye down the back, and the other starts at the nostril, passes the eye, and extends to the shoulder.

Detailed Physical Description

Head: Medium-sized.

Eyes: Large.

Front limbs: Relatively short.

Hind limbs: Long and stout; the back of the thigh is red.

Belly: Cream-colored.

Body color: Brown. Some individuals are partly or entirely green.

Body length: Around 35 mm. Individuals over 40 mm are among the larger of the species.

The Brown Tree Frog has no fixed breeding season and reproduces throughout the year, with mass breeding occurring from December to February (summer in the Southern Hemisphere). Additionally, males emit a distinctive whistle-like call year-round that is unforgettable once heard. To date the species has not been found in the Northern Hemisphere; even in the Southern Hemisphere it occurs only in Australia and New Zealand.

3 Care & Husbandry

Unlike some color-changing frogs, the Brown Tree Frog usually keeps a brownish coloration; only some individuals from particular regions turn green, and even then not all turn fully green—many are only partly green. So when keeping them, owners should not worry that something is wrong if the frog does not change color, nor assume a problem when part of the body turns green.

Because the Brown Tree Frog breeds year-round, owners may encounter eggs at any time. In spring, autumn, and winter it still lays eggs, but in smaller numbers. Summer is the peak breeding season, with obvious mating behavior and many egg clusters found at the base of grass tufts. Males are busy too, producing whistle-like calls at various water sources to attract females.

Before keeping a Brown Tree Frog, owners should first consider whether their circumstances suit such a pet. Key questions include whether the males’ year-round calling will disturb daily life, whether there is enough space for activity, whether a food source is available, and whether cleaning the terrarium and other chores are manageable. Only after confirming you can keep one should you consider how to acquire it.

In general, keeping any animal requires preparation beforehand and proper care during keeping. Should any problem arise, owners must respond promptly to prevent accidents.

4 Natural Habitat

Compared with many other frogs, the Brown Tree Frog is extremely adaptable. Although it is currently found only in Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere, in nature it lives in all kinds of places—forests, grasslands, and even mountains. Therefore, when setting up its environment, owners need not worry too much about environmental constraints.

That said, strong adaptability does not mean a terrarium is unnecessary—suitable conditions let them thrive. First, pay attention to the water area. Although they survive in semi-arid regions, a water feature is essential for healthy growth. You can build a small pond at the bottom of the tank and change the water regularly to keep it fresh.

Second, planting is a must. Plants provide hiding spots and allow climbing. Dead plants should be removed and replaced promptly. Since keeping live plants is not easy, owners can consider substitutes.

Also, choose the substrate carefully. Generally, the closer the setup is to the natural habitat the better, but in nature the Brown Tree Frog lives in soil; using soil as substrate makes maintenance troublesome because feces and urine are hard to clean. It is best not to use soil as substrate.

5 Feeding Requirements

In the wild the Brown Tree Frog has many food options and will not let any small insect flying past escape. In captivity, owners may be unable to maintain live food such as small insects and can only offer special frog pellets, but a long-term pellet-only diet is not ideal; when possible, provide live food.

Many owners catch insects themselves, but catches are limited and sometimes suitable insects cannot be found, making a natural meal seem out of reach.

In such cases, some owners try mealworms. High in protein and easy to keep, they can be offered periodically. Since other frogs also eat them, owners adopt mealworm feeding. But the exoskeleton is hard to digest, so newly molted mealworms are recommended, and they should not be fed long-term.

Some owners dust live food with vitamin powder before feeding. Note that, like other animals, frogs have limits to nutritional needs; oversupplementation brings no benefit and may cause other problems.